
Gum disease is surprisingly common and actually affects one out of two adults in the United States alone, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gum disease appears subtlety through oral bacterial growth and can rapidly lead to tooth loss if left untreated. During your routine checkups, we carefully look for the signs and symptoms of gum disease, increasing the chances of catching it before it permanently damages your smile. We also offer comprehensive gum disease treatment from our Lockport, IL periodontist.
To reduce the presence of harmful oral bacteria, we perform scaling and root planing (or deep cleaning.) Our hygienist first removes plaque and tartar from enamel above and beneath the gum line as well as in your gum pockets. Root planing works to smooth out the roots, promoting the reattachment of the gums to the teeth. Combined, these steps reverse gum disease symptoms and put your oral health back in the right direction.
Rather than treating your gum disease with procedures that require scalpels and sutures, we can use the Chao Pinhole Technique! This nonsurgical option only requires a small dental instrument to gently reposition gum tissue over the exposed roots of teeth. Once completed, we can effectively reverse gum recession, all without asking patients to undergo a dramatic recovery.
Our dental office uses soft tissue lasers to reduce the amount of oral bacteria. This advanced dental instrument utilizes concentrated light beams to remove damaged tissue, cauterizes the area on-contact, eliminates bleeding, reduces recovery time, and lowers the risk of infection.
We can also use laser therapy to stop cold sores from developing, particularly when they first appear, and kill the virus that causes these often painful outbreaks.
If more complex gum disease develops and we need to perform more advanced procedures to protect your oral health, our team is prepared. With the help of our in-house periodontists, we can perform gum grafting, cosmetic surgery, surgical dental implant placement and more, all without asking you to travel to another dental office!